Corning’s Rossi chooses Mercyhurst

Friday

Mar 17, 2017 at 8:33 PMMar 17, 2017 at 8:33 PM

By Tom Passmoretpassmore@the-leader.com

CORNING — Corning's Mike Rossi signed his letter of intent to play lacrosse at Division II Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa. on Friday in the Corning-Painted Post cafeteria in front of family and friends.

“I’m so glad that everybody could be here,” Rossi said. “It’s really a great feeling.”

Rossi will join former Hawk Sam Crusha and current teammate Nick Bartone at Mercyhurst University on a team that went 15-3 last year and thinks having people he knows there will ease some of the pressure.

“It’s gonna be really comforting (having teammates there),” said Rossi. “Everybody talks about how college is really nerve wracking for the first couple weeks when you don’t know anyone, I already feel like I have a family there, with teammates i’ve had at Corning and travel teams.”

Rossi has been a three year varsity starter playing as a long-stick midfielder and defenseman for the Hawks, contributing to Section IV titles in 2015 and 2016 and is hoping for another successful lacrosse season.

“I think we do expect to be back in sectionals this year, like every year we expect to win,” Rossi said. “We know it’s going to be a challenge, there’s a lot of good teams in the area, but I think we can do it and get back to postseason playoff games. That’s our goal for this year.”

In addition to lacrosse, Mike has also been a two-way starter on the varsity football team since his sophomore season, playing tight end and outside linebacker. As a sophomore, he helped lead the Hawks to the 2014 Section IV Class AA championship along with being named All-Leader his junior year.

As a senior, he served as team captain and was selected to play in the Ernie Davis exceptional senior game.

Mike is also the recipient of Mercyhurst's coveted Sister Carolyn Herrmann Scholarship award provided for demonstrated academic ability and has consistently has made high honor roll or honor roll throughout his high school career.

“I am excited about the academics at Mercyhurst, the school and team culture are a good fit for me,” said Rossi. “I’d be happy there even if I wasn’t playing lacrosse.”

Mike plans to major in Intelligence and possibly minor in Sports Management at Mercyhurst.

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